Flooding forces Mesa family out of apartment

MESA, AZ - A water main break forced the evacuation of a family of five in Mesa on Thursday morning.

The Mesa Fire Department received the emergency call around 3 a.m. When they arrived the say the water was three feet deep and rising.

"When I opened the door it like rushed in," explained Adrienne Botts, who was splashing around inside his apartment. "So I closed the door and I said 'We've got to get everything from the front and move it to the back.'"

Firefighters worked feverishly to stop water from gushing into a couple first floor units, including Botts'. Crews finally got the main shut off just after 6 a.m.

"If they give me another unit on the second floor probably I'll stay here but if not I want out of my lease and I want to go somewhere else if possible," he said.

Botts admits he has a pricey shoe addiction and grabbed the only pair not underwater and got his family out.

"They're Nike Air Force Ones, they're probably my oldest pair but my newer pairs are ruined. These are the only ones I have right now I don't have no other shoes," Botts explained.

Botts, his wife and two children are moving out for now until everything dries out and they can see what's left to salvage.

"If they replace everything I'll be fine and give me a new unit and let me move out and be comfortable everything will be cool," Botts smiled.

Officials said the complex is working to provide the family with another unit.